The hard-working volunteers of the Inverloch Fundraising Auxiliary have reached their fundraising goal of $60,000 to buy a new ultrasound to assist cancer patients at Wonthaggi Hospital.
The ultrasound will assist in the placement of devices that allow repeated access to the bloodstream for chemotherapy to be administered. Currently patients have to travel beyond the Bass Coast to have this procedure. The ultrasound will also assist in diagnostic and palliative procedures where fluid needs to be drained from the abdomen or the lung.
The Auxiliary reached its goal after receiving $6000 from the Lions Club of Inverloch and District at the Lions’ annual changeover dinner on Monday 19 June. The inverloch Bowls Club also gave $5000 that will go towards cancer equipment at BCH.
Auxiliary and Lions Club spokesperson Terry Hall said the ultrasound was a vital piece of equipment in enabling more cancer patients to receive all of their care locally, at the L. Rigby Centre at the hospital.
“The volunteer members of the Auxiliary have been striving towards the fundraising goal of $60,000 for 18 months and to have achieved it is such a joyous moment,” he said.
“We have been overwhelmed by the support of the community of Inverloch and surrounds. Many businesses and community groups have given generously to this appeal, and others have bought hand-knitted beanies for cancer patients to wear and also cards hand-made by our Auxiliary members.
“Cancer is likely to impact us all at some point in our lives – either ourselves as patients or a family member or friend – and to know that many people can receive their cancer treatment at Wonthaggi Hospital is such a relief, rather than having to travel further afield when their treatment is already exhausting and costly.”
Bass Coast Health CEO Jan Child said the L. Rigby Centre only existed because of the community’s generosity and the Inverloch Fundraising Auxiliary’s achievement was yet another reflection of the kind and caring spirit of the Bass Coast.
“We are so grateful to the Inverloch Fundraising Auxiliary, the Lions Club, the Bowls Club and everyone else who has given to this fundraising appeal,” she said.
“We continue to grow our cancer service because we know there is the demand and having this service helps to keep people at home to have their treatment, rather than travel to Melbourne, because doing so changes the lives of hundreds of people each week.
“This is a community service, built by the community for the community.”
The Lions Club gave $14,000 towards the ultrasound machine.